NY Captain: Ferry Suffered Mechanical Failure

An injured passenger from the Seastreak Wall Street ferry is taken to an ambulance, in New York, Wednesday, Jan. 9, 2013. The ferry from Atlantic Highlands, N.J., banged into the mooring as it arrived at South Street in lower Manhattan during morning rush hour, injuring as many as 50 people, at least one critically, officials said.(AP Photo/Richard Drew)

NEW YORK (AP) - The captain of a commuter ferry that crashed into a New York City dock says the vessel suffered a mechanical failure.

The National Transportation Safety Board says they interviewed the 36-year-old captain of the Seastreak Wall Street for three hours Thursday. He says the ferry wouldn't go into reverse when he tried to dock it. He also told investigators the engines seemed to have failed.

Investigators will determine whether the condition of the ferry backs up the captain's explanation.

More than 70 people were injured when the ferry made a hard landing into the dock Wednesday.

The NTSB says the crew was also interviewed Thursday.

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